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Wednesday, August 26, 2009

The National Association of School Nurses is hoping to help save lives this year and inform parents about the dangers of meningitis for teens and preteens ages 11-18. This can be prevented if children receive the vaccine.

Actress Lori Laughlin is a mother of 3 herself and is the national spokesperson for the Voices of Meningitis Initiative. She has made a public service announcement video (see below) and along with school nurses across the country the initiative hopes to inform parents about the dangers of meningococcal meningitis.

Although this disease is rare, it is also hard to recognize in early stages because the symptoms are similar to those of other virus such as the flu. But it can claim a life in just a day. The bacteria can be spread by sharing eating utensils and drinking glasses or bottles as well as through kissing.

It has been a well known hazard for college students and dormitory life for several years now. Vaccination for college freshmen is often mandatory especially for students living in dorms.

Learn more about the dangers of meningococcal meningitis in teens and preteens and help educate the public. (You should pause the music in the sidebar before playing this video.)

Thursday, August 20, 2009

For those of you thinking about becoming a nurse practitioner, be sure you understand the education process before applying to or starting an education course. All too often students find themselves in an ADN program staring at six more years of education when they could have gone into a BSN program.

I always suggest that nursing students keep an open mind throughout their education because typically they will fall in love with more than one rotation, and change their minds more than once. A good six months or a year of med/surg after graduation is also a good consideration for building confidence and honing skills.

But for those of you who think you want to be an NP, then by all means understand what's required before you get started.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Critical thinking skills is a term nursing students and nurses will hear over and over again. They are an important aspect of quality patient care, the nursing process and a must in the list of qualifications for registered nurses.

But sometimes they become very mysterious as nurses present them in publication such as white papers or a thesis and nursing students can become overwhelmed in trying to make sense of it all.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Delegation is an important aspect of nursing care, but it's essential that all parties understand the rules of the game. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing issued a standard (The Five Rights of Delegation) in 1995 that remains effectively unchanged today. Make sure everyone is on the same page net tie you have to delegate, or have been delegated to.

"If you want a degree that’s taken seriously in the workplace, you need to do two things. First, make sure you choose a school that has the proper regional accreditation. Second, if you expect the degree to earn you a promotion, make sure that you choose a program that’s appropriate for your workplace situation.

While the creditability of online learning is substantial, there are still diploma mills out there looking to cash in. Don’t get suckered."

Friday, August 7, 2009

Health care reform is needed in this country! Have you spent hours on the phone with an insurance company trying to get coverage for yourself, a loved on, or a patient? Until you have you won't understand how badly this is needed. Some eighteen year old tells you NO, and the CEO is off on some private island enjoying life and his gigantic bonus while the patient has a huge gaping hole in their abdomen and is expected to do their own IVs and wound care at home....yeah that's a real story!!!

How many Americans have had to declare bankruptcy because of medical bills even WITH health insurance coverage?

But no one wants the government to take it over completely, and the plans in Congress are NOT about doing this....politicians may not be too bright, but they aren't that stupid....everyone knows how BAD the post office is or has had to deal with the DMV.

Don't listen to the scare tactics. Get some facts. Here's a great article from the Washington Post.

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